A remarkable comeback and sports awards

Truro Bearcats Noah Archibald stands near the Rath-Eastlink Community Centre showcase, which displays the team’s silverware from last season.SUBMITTED PHOTO

Lyle Carter column

Let’s go back to Maritime Hockey League action at the Rath-Eastlink Community

Centre Friday night, Nov. 10.

Truro Bearcats were leading Amherst Ramblers 2-0 early in the second period. It was a close battle and the next goal could be a big one?

At the 11:12 mark, the Bearcats’ Noah Archibald scored a beauty, making it 3-0.

And Archibald wasn’t done – he fired another one home at 17:29. With Archibald’s back-to-back goals likely being the turning point in the hockey game, the Bearcats went on to a 5-1 win.

“It was nice,” Archibald, 19, of Harmony, commented. “I hadn’t been scoring much this season. It was nice to finally get rewarded, it was nice to do it in a big win for our hockey team.”

As a hockey player Archibald is a good-sized right winger; he’s a solid two-way player who doesn’t mind the rough going in tight quarters. A strong skater and a real asset to the Bearcats, Archibald has been playing possibly the best hockey of his career on a line with Elliot McGuire at centre and Luke MacMillian at left wing.

And, talking with Archibald one-on-one, here’s a young athlete as humble and as gentlemanly as you’d care to meet. Earlier this week we reflected on a difficult time in his hockey career.

“I suffered a broken shoulder in a car accident during July of 2016,” Archibald said.

“I was coming along pretty good but in mid-September I became sick. I found out that I had mono. Later, I was diagnosed with meningitis; it was really serious. I was really sick, I went through a serious health issue. Overall, I spent two weeks in the QEII and a week in the Truro hospital.”

The rangy forward would not return to the ice to skate until late November.

“The other players were in mid-season form; it was definitely a big challenge to try and catch up. Around January 10, I played my first game. For the rest of the season I had to work really hard. I put in a lot of extra practice time and eventually I got back to playing my game.”

Archibald explained that the Bearcats went on a real mission during the latter part of the 2016-17 season.

“Winning the Maritime championship was really something, it was kind of a great ending to what had been a difficult year personally. I was so happy to be part of it; winning a championship with the Bearcats was something I always wanted.”

Archibald broke in with the Bearcats in 2014-15.

“This is actually my fourth season. I have a chance to play five years for Truro. It’s really exciting, it would be special to play five seasons with the Bearcats. I don’t take it for granted, it’s really a huge honour. Some players only get to play a couple of seasons of junior A hockey.”

Getting into hockey came early for Archibald.

“I played my first hockey on my pond in Harmony when I was five. That stands out as one of my earliest memories of having an interest in hockey. After that I played in the

Truro & Area Minor Hockey Association; I was always happiest when I was at the rink.

Hockey always brought a smile to my face.”

A graduate of CEC, for a career, Archibald plans to pursue law enforcement or being a firefighter.

Tonight at 7 p.m. at the RECC Archibald and the Bearcats play host to Woodstock

“It was a great event, there was lots to reminisce about,” said Ashley Simms, chair of the Truro Sport Heritage Society. “This year’s inductees came from different backgrounds but shared a common love for sport and recreation. The evening was full of stories, laughs and networking; it was an honour to be involved.”

Food was served and just a story or two were told following inductions; a great night for sports.

Give high marks to master of ceremony Danny Joseph and the TSHS.

Lyle Carter’s sports column appears Saturdays in the Truro Daily News. If you have a story idea, contact him at 902 673-2857.